“What do you want to do in life?”

This question was posed by Sneha Rajguru’s father, Anil Rajguru, during a thoughtful late-night conversation.

At that time, Sneha was working as a script supervisor in Mumbai’s bustling film industry, contributing to major productions like Bulbul and Luka Chhupi. Her career took her to various locations, each possessing its own unique charm.

Sneha’s response to her father’s question revealed a heartfelt truth — while her career in filmmaking brought her joy, it was the simplicity and fulfillment she found in farming that called to her more profoundly.

“When my father asked me what I wanted to do in life, I realised I wanted to pursue something that connected me to nature. So, one day, I simply woke up, packed my bags, and moved back to Pune from Mumbai, leaving behind my career in films,” she shares.

It was the idyllic landscapes of West Bengal that truly planted the seeds of her newfound passion. “Travelling for work often involved extended stays in beautiful locales across India. During one of these trips, I discovered an isolated farm practising permaculture, a method centred on sustainable, self-reliant agriculture,” Sneha recalls.

“I lived in West Bengal for 52 days in a tent in a forest. That’s how I came across the concept of permaculture, a sustainable way of farming. The village lifestyle — eating raw and nutritional organic food with zero pesticides — was an eye-opener. It made me concerned about the quality of food we’re consuming in cities,” she says.

Sneha was deeply enchanted by the simplicity and purity of life on the farm — a stark contrast to the vibrant lights and relentless pace of Mumbai. The experience of tasting freshly harvested produce, free from chemical fertilisers or preservatives, was transformational and permanently altered her perception of food and its origins.

Returning to Mumbai with this newfound inspiration in tow presented its own challenges. Sneha’s heart yearned for the tranquility of the........

© The Better India